KENYATTA UNIVERSITY INCREASING ACCESS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

KENYATTA UNIVERSITY INCREASING ACCESS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: THE CASE OF KENYATTA UNIVESITY Prof. Olive M. Mugenda, Ph. D, CBS Vice-Chancellor Monday, 25 th June, 2012

Introduction Ø According to World Bank, 12% of the global population consists of Persons with Disabilities Ø 186 million of these population comprise of Children Ø One third of all children out of school (75 million) have disabilities Ø Excluding persons with disabilities from workforce causes loss of GDP

q 4. 6% of Kenyans experience some form of disability q 65% of the PWD in Kenya regard the environment as a major problem Source: KNSPWD, 2008 Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

Some important statistics, Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

Proportion of PWDs among students in KU, 2012 300 (1%) PWD Others 43, 700 (99%) N= 44, 000 Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

Proportion of PWDs among Staff in Kenyatta University, 70 (3%) 2012 PWD Others 2, 722 (97%) N= 2, 792 Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

Challenges of Persons with Disabilities q. Mobility – movement to and from the lecture halls is a challenge q. Physical infrastructure – previously, most buildings were constructed without taking care of the plight of PWDs Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

q. Funding – due to their special needs, funds are a hindrance to PWDs q. Attitudinal challenges – Most people in the society have biased attitudes towards PWDs Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

Initiatives to support Persons with Disabilities in Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

q. Programmes – through the Department of Special Needs Education various courses are offered which are meant to empower PWDs q Kenyatta University Disability Services Office (KUDSO) was started in 2010 to coordinate issues related to PWDs q. The Disability Services Office is instrumental in monitoring the progress and standards of services of PWDs Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

q. To enhance mobility for PWDs, the University provides tuk-tuks Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

University buildings have been customized for easy Access by PWDs Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

q. Assistive Technology Ø The Dolphin pen technology is used by the visually impaired students Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

Braille services through the Resource Centre attached to the Dean of Students Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

q. All major pathways linking up buildings at Kenyatta University are well labeled to ease access to the Deaf students Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

q. The Post-Modern Library has a number of facilities which are customized for use by PWDs Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

Computers for use by PWDs in the new Library Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

Computers cont’d…. Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

Widened toilets for use by PWDs Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

q. Financial Aid – through the University’s Financial Aid Office, some students are supported through scholarships q. Students are also guided on how to obtain HELB loans by Kenyatta University Disability Services Office q. JAB has had affirmative action which KU has adapted Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

Sensitization & Attitude Change These are done through the Following: Ø During orientation sessions to sensitize First year students on the need to maintain NONDISCRIMINATORY environment and offer assistance to PWDs where need arise Ø Annual Disability Day which creates awareness about PWDs Ø Highlight of activities of PWDs through the Kenyatta University Newsletter – a fortnightly publication of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

q. Staff matters – The University supports staff with disability as they seek PAYE Tax Relief by contacting Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

CONCLUSION q Kenyatta University is committed to adherence to and application of the Disability Act, 2004 q. It is through these initiatives that the University will continue to enhance access to Higher Education for Persons With Disabilities Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified

Thank You Kenyatta University ISO 9001: 2008 Certified 25